Paul Reed Smith Guitars (PRS) has announced the release of the Charcoal Phoenix, a limited edition electric guitar inspired by the Private Stock John McLaughlin Limited Edition model released in 2023. PRS founder Paul Reed Smith himself used the guitar at the company’s recent 40th-anniversary celebration concert in Anaheim, California.
Charcoal Phoenix
Smith stated that the Charcoal Phoenix was born from his desire to create a guitar with the remarkable sound and playability of the McLaughlin model but with a stoptail bridge.
This exclusive model is the same guitar Smith has been road-testing and refining over the past year, culminating in its prominent appearance at PRS’s 40th-anniversary concert alongside artists like John Mayer, David Grissom, and Orianthi.
TCI
He highlighted the use of chaltecoco for the neck and ziricote for the fingerboard, noting the resulting instrument’s exceptional sustain and clarity.
The guitar’s name, “Charcoal Phoenix,” is inspired by its deep crimson back and charcoal microburst top, which evoke the image of a phoenix rising.
The Charcoal Phoenix features a “Private Stock” grade figured maple top, a fatback mahogany back, and PRS TCI pickups, designed to deliver a wide range of tones from single-coil spank to full soapbar growl.
Tuned High-Pass Filters
A pair of EQ mini-toggles act as tuned high-pass filters, allowing players to refine their tone by removing low-end frequencies and emphasizing the high frequencies.
The guitar also has lightweight PRS Phase III Non-Locking Tuners and a PRS Stoptail bridge with curved string slots, brass inserts, and steel studs.
Limited Run
Only 150 Charcoal Phoenix guitars will be made, each including a 40th-anniversary certificate hand-signed by Paul Reed Smith.
MSRP – $7750 /£7995
More Information
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